Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee member Raman Bahl has condemned the SAD-BJP government for imposing a tax of Rs 10 per quintal, on the purchase of sugarcane by sugar mills, in Punjab.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee member Raman Bahl has condemned the SAD-BJP government for imposing a tax of Rs 10 per quintal, on the purchase of sugarcane by sugar mills, in Punjab.

Addressing a meeting of farmers at his residence here on Saturday, he said, "The burden of tax will be borne by sugarcane-growers, lowering their income with about Rs 2,500 per trolley load of the crop."

Stating that SAD was falsely claiming to be the champion of the farming community in the state, he alleged, "Sugarmills in the state had to start the crushing season from November 15, but the process could not begin due to the imposition of new tax on the purchase of sugarcane."

Bahl said, "If the sugarcane crop remains standing in the fields due to the delay in harvesting, the sowing of wheat crop will also be delayed, thereby causing financial losses to farmers."

Bahl claimed that due to the anti-farmer policy of the SAD-BJP government, farmers had already suffered losses due to the distress sale of paddy crop in mandis.

"Farmers have been forced to sell their paddy between Rs 800 to Rs 1,150 per quintal instead of the MSP fixed at Rs 1,345 per quintal," he added.

Bahl said basmati rice had also fetched Rs 900 per quintal less than the expected normal rate.